Gopher Dunes MX National | Photo Report

Gopher Dunes MX National | Photo Report

July 11, 2017

Photos by James Lissimore

Here we are back at it for the eastern rounds of the Rockstar Energy Drink Canadian MX Nationals and first stop was probably the gnarliest Gopher Dunes track we have ever witnessed in our history of racing. Normally we are subject to sweltering temperatures at the Dunes but this year mother nature laid off and this time it was the track that had the riders numbers. Towards the end of the day it just became a game of survival and you could tell the track was taking its toll on all the riders. Heres a look at some of the action at Gopher Dunes this past weekend.

What weve all been waiting for. The first Womens MX East National round with rival riders Kennedy Lutz #44 and series reigning champion #1 Eve Brodeur ready to face off.

New York state rider Julia Krzemien made her return to the Womens series here in Canada again and rode amazing.

Photo finish for Julia Krzemien in moto 1 where she passed Eve Brodeur by a wheel at the finish line. | Chris Barrett photo

Kennedy Lutz dominated the womens class at Gopher Dunes and will train with the MX101 team this week at Sand Del Lee before taking on round 2.

Your Ladies podium from Gopher Dunes. | Chris Barrett photo

Cade Clason is no stranger to Gopher Dunes and his physical conditioning certainly helped him get through the day.

Cade Clason feeling more at home on the eastern tracks.

Clason would round out his day with a 7-7 for 7th overall.

Another guy who feels at ease on the eastern tracks is Davey Fraser. He had an awesome ride at the Dunes.

Fraser would take 11-9 for an impressive 7th overall.

Excited to be back at his home track. Hayden Halstead was ready to kick things up a notch in front of his hometown crowd.

Halstead did just that. He pulled of his best finish to date with a 6th in moto 1.

In moto 2 however, Halstead had a crash off the first turn that set him back and he charged hard to get back up near the front of the pack. He experienced some mechanical issues with his bike that prevented him from placing where he knew he could be.

Mike Fowler can be quoted as referring to the Dunes as Hell which wasnt a stretch of the imagination on Sunday. Mike would finish the day with a 22-14 for 18th overall.

Shawn Maffenbeier cracked out some of the 2018 gear for Gopher Dunes.

Maffenbeier was an absolute beast out there.

Shawn catching some shade with his wrench Cale Foster before the gate drops.

Maffenbeier would take the win in moto 1.

Always smiles from this guy and for good reason. He beat the competition and the sand monster too.

A hard fought battle and ready for round six.

Maffenbeier would go 1-2 for 1st overall.

Local young gun, Taylor Ciampichini lined up for the national and had a great day with 17th overall. See you in Quebec!